DON'T FORGET TO TAP THE LITTLE STAR AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN BEFORE OFFING YOUR DATA PLS

Ihsan's POV

The faint sound of a door opening woke me up from my restless slumber, I was seated on the floor and my back rested against the door

Ow, my neck felt so stiff probably because of the awkward position I angled my neck at.I rolled my neck slowly and it was as if my brain rolled and hit a button because it all came crashing down to me

Abba throwing me from the stairs,Jamal's text,Abba ignoring,me begging him to open the,him ignoring me and how I ended up falling asleep here.I quickly scrambled to my feet but I was cut off by a sharp pain in my ankle

I stumbled and almost fell flat on my face wallahi da na fasa kai(I would have injured my head). I crashed into something hard and smells likes an English garden

Abba

He arm was wrapped around my waist while his other hand is clutched tightly around my wrist

"Hayaati" I whispered

"What are you doing here" He asked through gritted teeth, his eyes swept over my outfit

"Did you sleep here?" He asked again this time loosening his grip on my wrist, I nodded quietly I didn't want this to make any loud movement that will make me break out of his hold

But all good things must come to an end, he released me and I quickly placed my head on the wall so that I can support my self

I glanced at my ankle for the first and it was swollen and purplish despite my dark skin

I closed my eyes to push back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I miss Daada and Maami

If he noticed the ugly deformity on my ankle he acted like he didn't "Go and freshen up our friends are dropping by before going back to Kaduna" With that he walked pass me

I shook my head as tears started spilling out of my eyes, I carefully limped to my room with the help of wall

I bathed in the tub for I don't know how many minutes before I on the shower. I found some bandage and wrapped my ankle lightly.I'd deal with it later

After that I decided to wear something simple, a silky white bubu decorated with peach stones.The dress sweeps the floor as I walk so my ankle is hidden from sight

I put on a white beanie then patted some powder on my face, swiped some Kohl

I draped a peach veil and started heading downstairs.I didn't want them to ask why I'm limping

Thank God I didn't wear anything on my lips cause if I had applied anything on it, it would have already disappeared cause of the way I've been biting it so I wouldn't scream  and if biting my lips has something to do with fighting back tears

I finally reached downstairs and sat at the nearest couch available.I sighed in delight

Author's POV

Abba's eyes narrowed as Ihsan clutched her ankle, wincing in pain and he felt...nothing. No concern, no empathy. Just a hollow pit where his heart should be

"Get up,food is in the kitchen" he said, his voice devoid of emotion

But as he watched her struggle to stand, a flicker of guilt danced in his mind. No, he couldn't afford that. He pushed the thought away, reminding himself of the plan

Yet, as he saw her limping, a pang of...something...hit him. He quickly silenced it, telling himself she deserved it. She was just a pawn, after all

But the image of her pain lingered, and Abba found himself at a store, buying her a gift - a small, elegant splint for her ankle. He didn't understand why he did it. It wasn't part of the plan

As he handed her the gift, their eyes met, and for a moment, Abba felt... concern. He looked away, burying the feeling beneath his mask of indifference

Ihsan's eyes dropped, and Abba felt that pang again. He suppressed it, focusing on the plan, the end goal. He couldn't let emotions get in the way.

Abba's eyes scanned Ihsan's ankle, noticing the swelling and bruising. He knew he had to do something, even if it was just a pretense of care. He sat on the floor  facing her, his movements mechanical

He gently unwrapped the makeshift bandage she had applied, revealing the purpled skin. He winced, not in empathy, but in calculation. He needed her functional, not debilitated

He expertly wrapped a new bandage, his hands moving with precision. He applied a cold compress, his touch detached. Ihsan flinched, and Abba's gaze flickered, his mask slipping for an instant.He retrieved the splint he had purchased, carefully fitting it around her ankle. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a spark of...something...through him. He ignored it, focusing on the task

As he secured the splint, Ihsan's eyes met his, searching for something - compassion, perhaps, or kindness. Abba's gaze remained empty, a void that swallowed all emotion.

"There," he said, his voice flat. "It's done."

Ihsan's gaze lingered, then dropped, her shoulders sagging in defeat. Abba stood up and walked away, leaving her to her thoughts
*******

Sadiya, Hanan, Afreen, and Fadila surrounded Ihsan, their faces aglow with excitement. "Girl, how's the first day of marriage?" Hanan asked, her eyes sparkling

Ihsan's smile felt forced "It's...um...been a day"

Sadiya giggled. "A day? That's all we get? Spill the tea, Ihsan!"

Abba's friends, Abdallah, Tahir, and Rayan, joined the circle, teasing Abba about being "whipped" already. Abba chuckled, his arm tightening around Ihsan's waist

Afreen asked, "So, how's married life treating you? Any surprises?"

Ihsan hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's...different. I mean, we're still getting used to each other"

Fadila probed, "Different? What does that mean?"

Ihsan's eyes darted to Abba, who was watching her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Just...adjusting to living together, I guess"

Amir joked, "Abba's probably already showing his true colors, right?"

Ihsan wanted to say something but though against it

Abba's smile never wavered. "Hey, I'm a perfect husband"

Tahir added, "Yeah, until the honeymoon phase ends!"

The group laughed, but Ihsan's friends exchanged concerned glances. Something was off, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it

Amal dragged Ihsan to the side of the room, her voice low and concerned. "Hey, is everything okay? You look kinda off. And are you limping?"

Ihsan's eyes darted around, ensuring they were out of earshot. "I'm fine, just...wedding night, you know?" She winked, trying to brush it off

Amal's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, get some! You two need some quality time!" She winked, her voice playful

Ihsan's face flushed, but she forced a laugh. "Amalili, stop it!"

But Amal just grinned. "I'm just saying, newlyweds need some alone time! Don't be shy, Ihsan, enjoy it!"

Ihsan's eyes pleaded with Amal to drop it, but Amal just teased her some more, oblivious to the underlying tensions

After an hour or so they left.Leaving the two newlyweds to 'smooch' according to Amal

Hi
Sorry yet again
Life is hectic🙂